Chisago County Family Court Records
Chisago County family court records are kept at the District Court in Center City, Minnesota. The court handles divorce filings, child custody and parenting time cases, child support orders, and paternity actions for all residents of the county. You can search records online through Minnesota Court Records Online or go to the courthouse at 313 N. Main Street. Court Administrator Kristin Cunningham oversees records operations. This page explains how to find and request Chisago County family court records.
Chisago County Overview
Chisago County District Court
The Chisago County District Court handles all family law matters for the county. It sits at the courthouse on N. Main Street in Center City. The court covers divorce and legal separation, custody and parenting time, child support, and paternity cases. Three full-time judges are chambered in the Tenth District to serve Chisago County and its seven neighboring counties.
Chisago County is part of the Tenth Judicial District, which covers Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright counties. The district has 45 judges across all eight counties. Court Administrator Kristin Cunningham manages the records office. Parking is free in a surface lot and along the street near the courthouse. The court also issues marriage licenses, and the district offers marriage ceremony services by appointment.
| Court | Chisago County District Court - Tenth Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
Chisago County Courthouse 313 N. Main Street Center City, MN 55012 |
| Phone | (651) 213-7010 |
| Fax | (651) 213-8651 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Chisago County |
How to Search Chisago County Family Court Records
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the best starting point for finding Chisago County family court records. It is free and available at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. The register of actions shows all case activity at no charge. Document downloads cost $8 each. Most cases filed after July 1, 2015 are searchable online through MCRO.
Chisago County also has a forms and links page at chisagocountymn.gov - Forms and Links with local resources for court matters. The county court also uses the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) for marriage record access.
For in-person requests, visit the Court Administration office during business hours. Staff can search by name or case number. Mail requests go to Chisago County District Court, 313 N. Main Street, Center City, MN 55012. Include case details, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and your payment. You can also reach the court at (651) 213-7010 or through the online contact form at mncourts.gov - Chisago contact form.
Chisago County Family Court Fees
Plain uncertified copies of Chisago County family court records are free. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Marriage certificates from the court cost $9 per certified copy. Exemplified and certified copies, which carry the full court seal, are $28 per document.
Filing a dissolution of marriage petition in Chisago County costs approximately $390. Custody or paternity filings are around $310. Filing a motion in an existing case is $100. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot pay. The court will consider an In Forma Pauperis petition if you provide documentation showing you cannot afford the fees.
Standard payment methods include cash, check, and money order in person. Mail requests require a check or money order payable to Chisago County Court Administration. Call (651) 213-7010 for information on phone payment options.
Note: Marriage licenses are also issued through the Chisago County District Court. Call the office for current fees and required documents.
Types of Family Court Records in Chisago County
Chisago County family court records include all domestic relations filings at the District Court. Divorce cases filed under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 518 are the most common. Each case file contains the petition, summons, financial affidavits, any temporary orders, the marital termination agreement if the parties settled, and the final judgment and decree. Most of these documents are public record once filed.
Child custody and parenting time records include all court orders and parenting plans entered in the case. Courts use the best-interest standard in Minn. Stat. section 518.17 to make custody decisions. Parenting time schedules, custody evaluations, and modification orders are part of the case file.
Child support records are maintained under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 518A. The court sets support based on the income shares model, taking both parents' earnings into account. Support orders, enforcement records, and modifications are part of the public file. Paternity cases filed to establish legal parentage include the petition, any test results, and the final parentage order. These records are kept permanently by the court.
Records that are not public include adoption filings, juvenile court proceedings, mental health commitment cases, and documents sealed by the judge. Child protection records under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 260C are also confidential. The court clerk can clarify what is available in any specific file.
Legal Help for Chisago County Residents
The Tenth District Self-Help Center helps people who represent themselves in Chisago County court cases. Call (651) 435-6535 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Staff assist with court forms and explain procedures without giving legal advice.
LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org provides free guides, forms, and legal information for family court matters. Official court forms are free at mncourts.gov/GetForms.aspx. To find a family law attorney in Chisago County, search the Minnesota State Bar Association directory at mnbar.org. Volunteer Lawyers Network offers free legal clinics statewide and can be reached at (612) 752-6677. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid serves low-income clients in family court matters and can be found through LawHelpMN.
Chisago County Court Online Resources
The Chisago County District Court page has current contact information, court schedules, and links to county-specific filing resources.
This page is the primary online resource for Chisago County court information and is updated when hours or procedures change.
The Chisago County forms and links page provides local resources including forms, FAQs, and links useful for family court cases.
Bookmark this county page if you are working through a family court matter in Chisago County and need quick access to local resources.
Cities in Chisago County
Chisago County includes Center City, Chisago City, North Branch, Lindstrom, and other communities northeast of the Twin Cities. All family court cases from these cities go through the Chisago County District Court in Center City.
No cities in Chisago County currently meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Chisago County. If you are unsure which county to file in, use the address where you currently live.